CHRIST AND THE STARS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—With reference to the very interesting article on the above subject in your issue of January 29th, the following extract from Sir A. T. Quiller-Couch's novel, Betty Wesley, may prove of interest :— " ' I remember,' he said, musing, ' at Oxford, one night, walking back to college with your brother John. We had been visiting the prisoners in Bocardo. As we turned into the Purl between Exeter and Jesus colleges, there, at the end of the street—it is little more than a lane—beyond the spire of All Saints', this planet was shining. John told me its name, and with a sudden accord we stood still for a moment, watching it. " Do you believe it inhabited ? " I asked. " Why not ? " he said. " Then why not as this world, by sinners ; and if by sinners, by souls crying out for redemption in Christ ? " '• Ay," said he, " for aught we imow, the Son of God may pass along the heavens, adding martyrdom to martyrdom, may even at this moment be bound on a cross in some unseen planet, swinging around one in this multitude of stars. But—," he broke off, " what have we to do with this folly of speculation ? This world is surely parish enough for a man, and in it he may be puzzled all his days to save his own soul out of the many millions." " —I am, Sir, &c., Bridlington, Yorks. FRED R. PEARSON.
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